Chapter 495: A Few Trifles

Lanse has already become the spiritual leader of the young people in the Imperial District, because in this era, no other peer can do better than him!

Perhaps there are some in the Bay Area, but their backgrounds and foundations are not as clean as his; he is the one who truly started from nothing.

There is a party tonight, held in a large villa rented temporarily.

On one hand, it is to celebrate Ethan's latest victory in the ring, and on the other, it is because the small-scale screenings of the film have had good results.

Many film critics have given it very high praise; although the film has not yet been released, it has already gained a certain reputation and status among the federal fan community.

In this period lacking media and channels for obtaining information, film critics, newspapers, and magazines are the only channels for people to understand something unfamiliar.

When film critics say "this film is full of incredible miracles," even if it were a pile of shit, they would still buy a ticket to go in and see if it really is a pile of shit!

And this, too, has given Lanse more confidence in the box office revenue-sharing model.

The entire film crew is here tonight, along with some actors signed to the film company; this is a good opportunity for them to have close contact with the management.

Perhaps there will be a chance to lie in the bed of some management member, thereby obtaining better acting opportunities.

This is a gathering of young people, so naturally, young people are the core!

After the motorcade arrived, the party officially began.

Lanse is the undisputed core of the party; everyone comes over to have a drink with him, though of course, he only needs to take a sip.

"Hi, Lanse!" Barbara walked over quickly from a distance, her face full of a charming smile.

She held a wine glass, "I have always wanted to say thank you to you; I didn't know acting in a movie was so interesting."

"Thank you, thank you for giving me such an opportunity!"

"I feel like my life will change because of this!"

Before she finished speaking, Lanse swapped the wine glass in her hand with a glass of fruit juice, "If you don't want to wake up tomorrow morning with a few people you don't know beside you, you had better drink fruit juice all night."

Barbara was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh, "I am already an adult."

"Being an adult is not a reason to make everything worse," Lanse clinked his glass against hers.

Barbara could only take a sip of the fruit juice, "Alright, anyway, I have to thank you; you let me find a new direction."

Barbara plays the female lead in the film; because everyone hired is young, except for Jiefu who has acted in films before, the others only have an understanding of it and have never truly filmed before.

So it cannot be said that their acting skills are better.

Although film is not an emerging thing, it was only after sound film technology matured last year that it was truly accepted by the public.

You cannot expect people, more than half of whom are illiterate, to understand the plot from silent films with subtitles, even if some silent film actors have tried their best to remove subtitles and let the audience know what they are doing through body language and plot performance.

The audience for films is still very limited.

Therefore, only after the appearance of sound films did the film industry usher in a true explosion.

Coupled with the current economic downturn, films have also become a relatively cheap form of entertainment, starting to replace some other high-consumption entertainment items and becoming the mainstream of entertainment.

In this situation, people actually don't care much about acting skills, or perhaps people haven't reached the level of appreciating acting skills yet.

Performance forms like stage plays, theater, and opera are not very suitable for film and would appear too exaggerated, so even though Barbara doesn't have any outstanding acting skills, it's still not bad.

Moreover, her plot mainly manifests in her face and running; she only needs to constantly show a terrified expression and then run around in the woods, and finally have her body pierced and hung up by a hook—this is all she needs to perform!

"When does the next film start?" She is full of expectations for new work.

Lanse glanced at the director, "That would have to be asked of the company manager; I am not responsible for arranging the filming schedule."

After the two chatted for a few more sentences, they separated; there were still many people behind waiting to chat with Lanse.

Everyone wants to talk to Lanse; even if there is nothing good to say, saying "Good evening, I'm very happy to be able to come to your party" is also a very good experience.

Everyone is having a great time; there is no major generation gap between peers, and it is very easy for them to play together.

Here, Lanse also saw someone who made him feel surprised: Yase.

"Mr. Lanse!" Yase walked out of the crowd holding Sai Lin Na's hand, "I hope I didn't disturb you..."

Lanse bumped fists with him and looked at Sai Lin Na; without a doubt, this girl didn't take Lanse's words to heart at all.

It must be said that Yase is very handsome; he inherited the appearance of his beautiful mother and at the same time possesses the special temperament of being born into a powerful family.

He and Lanse are two different kinds of handsome.

If Lanse's current handsomeness is that of a family leader who has proven his value and status through slaughter and blood, full of majesty that makes people afraid to approach him casually...

Then Yase's handsomeness is the handsomeness of a prince!

The education he received from childhood, his growing environment, and everything he touched gave him that prince-like temperament; coupled with his handsomeness, what girl could resist falling in love with a prince?

Yase never lacks women; from forty-five-year-olds to teenagers, as long as he crooks his finger, there will always be someone sticking to him.

Sai Lin Na cannot refuse Yase's charm; Lanse expected this, but he had already warned the other party, and if she still wants to be a moth to the flame, then there is no good way to help.

You can figure it out with your heels: Councilor Wei De would never allow Yase, his favorite youngest son, to marry a female gang member with no background.

If Sai Lin Na had a blood relationship with Lanse, or if she had a background similar to the five major families, then Councilor Wei De might agree.

This would be equivalent to a political marriage.

But it is only a possibility, not one hundred percent.

She currently has no such background or support, so no matter what, Councilor Wei De will not allow Yase to marry Sai Lin Na.

His mother won't allow it either.

Then this is destined that the two people's love will ultimately just be love; when Yase reaches the time he needs to marry, he will walk into the wedding hall with someone else.

This is a love destined to have no results, destined to be sad.

However, having said that, people who fall in love always feel that their love can change everything; this is very normal.

"I didn't know you also filmed movies; I am also very curious about this. When can you let me go to your company to take a look?"

Holding the hundreds of thousands he knocked out of Mr. Luo Jiefu, as well as the hundreds of thousands in hoarded alcohol, Yase is now an out-and-out rich man.

However, ever since Mr. Luo Jiefu passed away, he lost a good "partner"; those other people either can't be knocked for that much money, or they are people he shouldn't provoke.

So recently he plans to start learning to invest; this is also what Councilor Wei De requested.

James will become the core power holder of the family in the future; Yase is destined not to have any gains in this regard. If he doesn't want to create a competitive relationship with James...

Then the best choice is to go into business.

With James's help, it's not impossible for him, this younger brother, to achieve some results in business.

Moreover, Councilor Wei De is very clear that when he takes office, the Bay Area of New Jincheng will definitely undergo a major purge.

With so much wealth, even if Yase can't eat much, it's enough for him to squander for a lifetime.

Lanse did not refuse his idea, "You chose a good project; later I will have the manager contact you. We indeed have many films in preparation; you can choose any one of them then."

After chatting about these things, he very tactfully went to a corner with Sai Lin Na, hugging, kissing, and touching.

Subsequently, some actors came over to greet Lanse; strictly speaking, Lanse is still the boss of their boss's boss.

Although these actors are all young, they are all quite mature.

Several girls hinted that they could leave with Lanse tonight, and no matter what Lanse let them do, it would be fine. This actually proves another thing—

Living is not easy.

January passed in the cold weather, and just as February began, a major event occurred.

The Republic of Dantra detained two federal cargo ships passing through the waters around them, on the grounds that they were transporting supplies to a hostile country, so millions in supplies on the two cargo ships were confiscated, and the ships were also detained.

The companies owning the cargo and the shipping companies immediately protested to the Republic of Dantra, but it had no effect.

So much so that while the weather was still very cold, groups of protesters, large and small, had already appeared on the federal streets.

This is also a feature of the Federation.

When things closely related to people break out, they will demonstrate; this is understandable, conveying their demands through demonstrations.

But when things that have nothing to do with them, and which they don't care about, break out, they will also demonstrate, as if doing so could change something.

But in fact, doing so not only changes nothing, but also makes the federal government feel dissatisfied and under more pressure!

Currently, the diplomatic relations between the Federation and the Republic of Dantra have been completely severed; relying on diplomatic means will not get those goods and cargo ships back at all.

!.

When they expelled federal people and confiscated the property of federal merchants, the federal government couldn't do anything, let alone now.

Moreover, these measures by the Republic of Dantra have made many people feel uneasy; now they can detain federal cargo ships and goods.

Then does this mean that in the future they might take the initiative to go out to sea to plunder passing merchant ships, and perhaps even plunder federal ports?

Congress held an emergency meeting, and after discussion, it was finally decided to establish the "New Jincheng Naval Military Base" in New Jincheng, and the navy will be stationed here.

On one hand, it is to prevent the Republic of Dantra from having a hot head and attacking the New Jincheng wharf filled with supplies; on the other hand, it is also a kind of deterrence against the Republic of Dantra.

In addition, the federal government also issued a demand to the public.

It requires all Dantra people who have not been naturalized to immediately leave the Federation.

After February 25th, all Dantra people who have not left the Federation will be expelled!

This news caused a shock throughout the world; many newspapers are reporting the Federation's measures, among which there is no lack of media that over-interpret it.

They believe this will become the "prelude" to war; both sides have already expelled each other's citizens, the Republic of Dantra has confiscated and detained federal passing merchant ships and supplies, and the conflict has been constantly escalating.

Does this represent the possibility of the Federation intervening in the war on the Tanfei Continent?

The Silaite ambassador to the Federation urgently contacted the federal government; it is said that they are discussing the matter of forming an alliance. As for whether it is true, only the parties involved know.

Lanse looked through the window at a group of young people on the street surrounding a few people who had fallen to the ground, punching and kicking them, and others were waving sticks at them forcefully.

The few people on the ground had long been beaten until their heads were broken and bleeding; some passing pedestrians were watching from a distance, and a police car was parked nearby, with two police officers standing not far away with their hands on their hips, watching.

The rolling shutter door of a shop by the roadside had been completely destroyed, and some bloodstains and dropped goods remained on the ground; from time to time, people would poke their heads inside or walk straight in.

Without a doubt, they are plundering and using violence, and those who are suffering the harm should be Dantra merchants or immigrants.

The speed of the car Lanse was riding in was not fast, which allowed him to notice more details.

It was not just this one shop that encountered similar things; in the distance, there was another place where a similar situation was happening: three people were beaten to the ground, and the people beside them were still kicking their heads forcefully with their feet.

The three people were lying on the ground, not knowing if they were dead or alive, and several young people were each holding a large bag, rushing out of the shop and disappearing into the chaotic street!

Similar things were happening everywhere; in the city center, Dantra people's goods were also being robbed, and the shop owners were being insulted and beaten.

The last time they encountered such treatment was when the Imperial immigrants were targeted because of the Imperial Emperor's madness!

"Should we have someone stop it?"

Aierwen, who was sitting in the front seat, asked. Lanse watched for a while and then shook his head, "Sometimes, establishing an enemy that has nothing to do with us has more benefits for us to integrate into federal society."

"Helping these people is easy, but it's hard to avoid making people feel that our stance is problematic."

"Maintaining an attitude of not caring and not asking is the most appropriate; besides, they really have nothing to do with us."

He said, paused for a while, took out a pack of cigarettes, and lit one for himself, "How is Ethan preparing?"

Ethan has a boxing match in the next two days; his coach has selected a boxer who is quite famous throughout the state for him.

So far, his record has reached the level of ten wins, two losses, and six knockouts; he is another person who completely crushed Ethan in terms of data, but who can win is hard to say now.

Aierwen has blind trust in Ethan, "I just talked to him on the phone, and he told me he has the same confidence to defeat that guy."

The motorcade passed by the roadside with a 'xiu' sound; the young people who were beating those Dantra people looked back, but soon put their attention back on those Dantra people.

In fact, many times they may not really hate these Dantra people; they have just started to get used to and use this large-scale "hatred" to achieve some ulterior purpose of their own.

Robbery, injury, rape, extortion, blackmail...

Ugly desires were tacitly indulged at this moment, and evil became purer!

The police's indifference, the pedestrians' cheering, the witnesses' instigation—they seemed to have become national heroes at this moment, rather than a group of criminals!

This makes people feel shocked and uneasy, but also feel it is a matter of course.

The weather has been a little better during this period, and many Imperial gang leaders from within Likalai State have come to New Jincheng to see Lanse.

Lanse's influence in Likalai State is also constantly spreading; now everyone knows that there is an Imperial gang leader in New Jincheng who has great ability.

Not only can he gain a foothold in New Jincheng, where the five major families are based, but he can also take out large batches of alcohol to sell to his peers.

In the villa in the suburbs, Lanse met these gang leaders from all over the state.

With his arrival, the people who were sitting or standing in the living room all stood up one after another to look at him, and soon stood in a row beside the living room.

After Lanse handed his hat and coat to his own people who came to welcome him, he smiled and walked toward Damon, the leader of the Imperial gang in Jinxing City, who was ranked first.

"Mr. Lanse!" He held Lanse's hand very respectfully and took the initiative to kiss the ruby ring Lanse was wearing on his finger.

This is a symbol of absolute submission!

Damon is almost forty years old this year; it is hard to imagine that he would actually make such a move, and some people around who knew him also showed surprised expressions.

But for Damon, he thinks this is not excessive.

Lanse is already standing at the level of the five major families, and coupled with the fact that he can provide various alcoholic beverages continuously, for Damon, Lanse is indeed worthy of him doing so!

Immediately after, the second guy also took the initiative to hold Lanse's hand, learned from Damon's appearance to kiss his ring, and respectfully addressed him as "Mr. Lanse."

Everyone showed Lanse extra respect because of the strength of the Lanse family and because Lanse could take them along to make money.

The gang leader standing at the end is also a young man, looking a bit older than Lanse, but not by much.

He is the leader of the Imperial gang in Xigu City, a leader of an emerging gang inspired and called upon by Lanse.

He said a lot of things to Lanse, about those words of worship and admiration for Lanse; he even said that he was able to become a gang leader because of Lanse!

After seeing everyone, Lanse sat in the very middle of the living room.

Aierwen stood outside the living room chatting with the confidants of other gang leaders; he would glance at the high-spirited Lanse from time to time, showing a knowing smile.

The better Lanse is, the better they are!

This time it was mainly to talk about the transportation and sales of alcohol; with the large-scale brewing at the Lawrence farm, Lanse's alcohol is already enough to supply the entire state.

When he had no strength, he could endure, but now, with strength, he no longer wants to endure.

"Alcohol, weapons, connections—I can provide convenience for you, and even provide you with a batch first."

"And I only have one requirement: let our business spread throughout the entire state!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 496 =====